Canon PIXMA MX310 (multifunction, fax / copier / printer / scanner, color)

Summary: I've had this for about 2 weeks now. Overall I am very happy. Print quality is excellent, both in color and B&W. This is an area where Canon excels in my mind. Printing is quick. ADF and scanner work well. I've printed at least 100 pages and have plenty of ink left (unlike my 'free' Lexmark which burned ink cartridges like crazy). I like the fact that there are only 2 cartridges -- one B&W and one color. Past experience with multiple color cartridges was that when one went dry, the others were only a matter of days behind. I also like the fact that you can buy higher capacity cartridges. The ADF works very well. I thought about waiting for the MX300 with no ADF, but frankly I've been surprised at how convenient I've found the ADF to be, and how much I use it. Overall this is a very solid printer.

There are a few minor disappointments though that keep this from being a 9/10. First, the scanner does not capture about 1/8-1/4" around the edges. This isn't much of a problem for documents, but it would be for pictures. --Not sure why this is the case, as other scanners I've had never had this issue. It states it in the manual so it isn't a surprise, but it is an annoyance. Second, duplexing is manual. My Canan iP4000 had automatic duplex, which was especially nice when printing from a remote computer. With the MX310, you have to print one side then flip the paper to print the other. --Not a big deal, unless you really like using duplex a lot and print remotely. Third, this is a big printer. I like the fact that I can ditch my flatbed scanner, but this printer is pretty hefty -- more like you'd have in an office than at home. As for the lack of ability to plug into a network doesn't bother me much -- but other competing printers offer this. (I've never had a problem just hooking it up to one computer, and printing from others). My final gripe is that there is a single paper tray. Again, the iP4000 had 2 trays, which was nice for loading envelopes in one and paper in the other. Now, if I want to print an envelope I have to remove the paper, adjust the guide, and adjust the thickness lever. --Not the end of the world, but it could be better.

My cons are all pretty minor (although frankly, the scanning one bothers me a bit). Overall, I highly recommend this printer unless one of the cons is something that would continue to bother you. Especially for $100, I feel it was a great buy.